California proposes $3 billion solar plan

The CSI will replace the ill-fated Million Solar Roofs Initiative (SB1) originally proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger. It will establish an 11-year solar rebate program for new and retrofit installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, worth $3.2 billion.

Because the CSI does not require State legislative approval, only the vote of the five PUC Commissioners, the likelihood of passage is high. The long term rebate commitment to roof-top solar systems provides the stability that developers and home owners need to make PV purchasing decisions.

The rebate program in the CSI plan provides performance-based incentives, rewarding projects on the basis of actual energy generation. The initiative will also support concentrated solar systems by providing rebates of $2.80 per watt.

David Saltman, CEO of renewable energy product supplier Barnabus Energy Corp., applauded the measure. "It could easily double the demand for our products over the next several years,” he said in a statement.